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HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - USB and IEEE-1394 (FireWire) Overview

This document provides a brief description of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE-1394 (FireWire) connections. It also provides general specifications, comparisons, and troubleshooting information.

caution:

Your computer might become more susceptible to damage caused by electrostatic discharge (ESD) when connecting USB devices directly into the ports on the computer. To help prevent damage by ESD, connect USB devices into an external USB hub or connect devices to the computer while the computer is off.

USB and IEEE-1394 (FireWire) are low-cost, high-speed connections for computer peripherals. These connections allow you to connect a computer to such devices as printers, portable storage devices, joysticks, keyboards, mouse devices, scanners, modems, digital speakers, removable drives, and many other devices. USB or FireWire peripherals connect directly into ports on the computer, into a hub, or into an extra port on another USB or FireWire device. Windows Plug and Play technology automatically detects and installs most USB and FireWire devices.

By default, USB and Firewire are automatically enabled by the operating system. If you suspect that USB or Firewire might be disabled, you can enable FireWire or USB using the following steps that match your operating system.

To check USB settings, click the plus sign (+) next to Universal Serial Bus Controller. USB is enabled correctly when both a USB host controller and a USB root hub is listed without any yellow or red error symbols.

Figure : USB controllers in Windows 7

To check Firewire settings, click the plus sign (+) next to the listing for IEEE 1394 Bus Host Controllers. FireWire is enabled correctly when the FireWire host controller is listed without any yellow or red error symbols.

Figure : Firewire controller in Windows 7

If a host or controller has a red or yellow error symbol, click Properties to view more information about the problem. To re-enable the device, right-click its icon and select Enable. Then restart the computer.

To check USB settings, click the plus sign (+) next to Universal Serial Bus Controller. USB is enabled correctly when both a USB host controller and a USB root hub is listed without any yellow or red error symbols.

Figure : USB controllers in Windows Vista

To check Firewire settings, click the plus sign (+) next to the listing for IEEE-1394 (IEEE 1394 Bus Host Controllers). FireWire is enabled correctly when the FireWire host controller is listed without any yellow or red error symbols.

Figure : Firewire controller in Windows Vista

If a host or controller has a red or yellow error symbol, click Properties to view more information about the problem. To re-enable the device, right-click its icon and select Enable. Then restart the computer.

To check USB settings, click the plus sign (+) next to Universal Serial Bus Controller. USB is enabled correctly when both a USB host controller and a USB root hub are listed without any yellow or red error symbols showing.

Figure : USB controllers in Windows XP

To check Firewire settings, click the plus sign (+) next to the listing for IEEE-1394 (IEEE 1394 Bus Host Controllers). FireWire is enabled correctly when the FireWire host controller is listed without any yellow or red error symbols showing.

If a host or controller has a red or yellow symbol, click Properties to view more information about the problem. To re-enable the device, right-click its icon and select Enable. Then restart the computer.

Right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop, and select Properties.

Click the Device Manager tab.

Device Manager opens.

To check USB settings, click the plus sign (+) next to Universal Serial Bus Controller. USB is enabled correctly when both a USB host controller and a USB root hub is listed without any yellow or red error symbols showing.

To check Firewire settings, click the plus sign (+) next to the listing for IEEE-1394 (IEEE 1394 Bus Host Controllers). FireWire is enabled correctly when the FireWire host controller is listed without any yellow or red error symbols showing.

If a host or controller has a red or yellow symbol, click Properties to view more information about the problem. To re-enable the device, right-click its icon and select Enable. Then restart the computer.